Public Notices March 23

NOTICE: GRAVEL CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given that the Town Board of Transit Township will be receiving Bids for loading and hauling 4000 yds., more or less, of Class #5 gravel to be delivered to any road in Transit Township. Bids are to be received by the Town Clerk by noon Monday, April 4, 2022, and will be opened at 9:00 pm., Monday, April 4, 2022. The gravel to be hauled before July 15, 2022. A 5% Bid Bond and a Certificate of Insurance are to accompany the Gravel Bid. Any questions contact the Town Clerk. Wayne R. Grams Transit Town Clerk Cell Phone: 218-341-3406 24799 501 Ave. Winthrop, MN 55396 25c

TRANSIT TOWNSHIP ASSESSMENT NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization of the Township of Transit, in Sibley County, Minnesota, will meet on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 3:00 pm., in the home of the Township Clerk, Wayne R. Grams, at 24799 501 Ave., Winthrop, MN 55396. The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether taxable property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the assessor, and also to determine whether corrections need to be made. If you believe the value or classification of your property is incorrect, please contact your assessor’s office to discuss your concerns. If you are not satisfied with the valuation or classification after discussing it with your assessor, you may appear before the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization. The Board shall review the valuation, classification, or both if necessary, and shall correct it as needed. Generally, an appearance before your local board of appeal and equalization is required by law before appealing to the county board of appeal and equalization. Wayne R. Grams Transit Township Clerk 25-26c

BISMARCK TOWNSHIP IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS This may affect your 2022 property taxes. The Board of Appeal and Equalization for Bismarck Township will meet on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., at the Bismarck Township Treasurer’s home at 22367 591st Avenue, Gibbon, MN 55335. The Purpose of this meeting is to determine whether property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the assessor. If you believe the value or classification of your property is incorrect, please contact your assessor’s office to discuss your concerns. If you disagree with the valuation or classification after discussing it with your assessor, you may appear before the local board of appeal and equalization. The board will review your assessments and may make corrections as needed. Generally, you must appeal to the local board before appealing to the county board of appeal and equalization. Adam Stegeman Bismarck Township Clerk 25-26c

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS This may affect your 2023 property taxes. Notice is hereby given that the Board of Appeal and Equalization of Cornish Township, shall meet on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., at Cornish Town Hall, 30166 565th Ave., Winthrop. The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether taxable property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the assessor, and also to determine whether corrections need to be made. If you believe the value or classification of your property is incorrect, please contact your assessor’s office to discuss your concerns. If you are not satisfied with the valuation or classification after discussing it with your assessor, you may appear before the local board of appeal and equalization. The board shall review the valuation, classification, or both if necessary, and shall correct it as needed. Generally, an appearance before your local board of appeal and equalization is required by law before an appeal can be taken to your county board of appeal and equalization. Kris Swenson Cornish Township Clerk 25-26c

NOTICE OF GRAVEL BIDS Notice is hereby given that the Town Board of Bismarck Township, Sibley County, will accept bids for 5,000 cubic yards, more or less, of Class 5 or better gravel until 8 P.M. on Monday, April 11, 2022 when the bids will be opened at the regular township meeting. Bids will be accepted for any of the following: 1. The whole Township 2. Only the North Half (North of County Road #10) 3. Only the South Half (South of County Road #10) The bid is to include the name and location of the pit, the cost of the gravel, loading and hauling and is to be delivered NO LATER THAN JULY 31. Also, if there is a fuel surcharge, please list this separately. All bids must be accompanied by a certified check in the amount of 5% of the bid, and a Certificate of Insurance for Workmen’s Compensation and Employer’s Liability Coverage. The gravel is to be delivered according to Gravel Maps that will be furnished by the Township. The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any irregularities, and to award the bid in the best interest of the Township. Bismarck Township Clerk, Adam Stegeman 22200 583rd Ave Winthrop, MN 55396 25-26c

Noxious Weed Control Sibley County Public Works Sibley County works with cities and townships on weed inspections. In addition, letters are sent to the city and township officials to check all lands for noxious weeds and/or nuisance weeds. The township officials conduct weed tours in June and July. If noxious weeds are found, the townships report to the county to send out such notices to the individual landowners. The noxious weeds should be destroyed or eradicated by effective methods to prevent the weeds from blooming and seeds maturing or spreading by roots or root stock. The 2022 Noxious Weed List can be viewed on the Sibley County Website; https://www.co.sibley.mn.us/government/departments/public_works/index.php The elimination of noxious weeds and brush on land under the jurisdiction of Sibley County Public Works is required by the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law (Minnesota State Statutes, Sections 18.75 to 18.91 and Minnesota Rules, Chapter 1505). Residents wishing NOT to have a specific county road roadside ditch sprayed, need to fill out a No Spray Request Form. The agreement can be made yearly or for the lifetime of a property owner. The road ditch spray chemicals typically applied directly to the noxious weeds. Chemicals used: Tordon K, Transline, Escort, Milestone, Forefront and 2-4D. No Spray Request Form Anyone wishing to NOT have a specific county road ditch sprayed should contact the Sibley County Public Works Office at 507-237-4092 before April 8, 2022 for a form. The No Spray Request Form is available from the Office via: E-mail: SibleyPW@co.sibley.mn.us Or website – Public Works-Dust Control & No Spray: www.co.sibley.mn.us Landowners/renters are required to flag the no spray zone with “Owner Will Maintain” flags provided by Sibley County Public Works. The use of these flags will aid Sibley County Public Works maintenance crews in identifying which areas landowners/renters do not want sprayed. Flags are available at the Public Works office in Gaylord and at all county highway garages in Arlington, Gaylord, Gibbon, Green Isle, Henderson, Winthrop and at the Sibley County Gravel Pit. We will now be offering “LIFETIME” No Spray Request Forms if you wish to purchase “No Spray” permanent signs for $21.38 each. (not including post) By requesting that Sibley County does not spray your road ditch, landowners/ renters agree to maintain the noxious weeds and brush in the specified road ditches in their entirety. When landowners/renters do not respond, we will assume it is acceptable to spray. No spray areas that are not maintained will be sprayed by Sibley County Public Works. The County may begin spraying on or after April 15, 2022. Public Works will be broadcast spraying all of the county roads west of State Highway 22 this year, and spot spraying the roads east of State Highway 22. Next year we will be broadcast spraying all of the county roads east of State Highway 22 and spot spraying the county roads west of State Highway 22. Please notify the Public Works Department if you discover weeds in the county road ditches. 25-26c

Official Publication County of Sibley Notice of public hearing and intent to consider plans for redistricting of county commissioner districts in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Section 375.01 to 375.025 Notice is hereby given that on the 31st day of March, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., the Sibley County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing in the Annex Basement of the Sibley County Courthouse, 400 Court Avenue, in the City of Gaylord, for the purpose of considering preliminary plans for the redistricting of Sibley County Commissioner Districts. A copy of the preliminary plans with all attachments and supporting documentation shall be available for public inspection in the Office of the Sibley County Auditor-Treasurer during regular office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Any citizen intending to submit a plan for consideration in the redistricting of Sibley County Commissioner Districts must do so in-person at the Office of the Sibley County Auditor-Treasurer no later than March 30th, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. Notice is also given that the Sibley County Board of County Commissioners will meet in the Commissioner’s Board Room of the Sibley County Courthouse, 400 Court Avenue, in the City of Gaylord on the 12th day of April, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of redistricting Sibley County Commissioner Districts. 24-26c

 

Winthrop City Council Regular Minutes Monday, February 7, 2022. Councilors Present: Mayor Kelly Pierson, Megan Schmidt, Julie Trebelhorn, Rob Edwards, Pete Machaiek. Councilors Absent: Dale Malheim. Staff Present: Matt Schultz, Aron Hacker, Troy Martin. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Pierson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm on Monday, February 7, 2022. The agenda was motioned by Councilor Trebelhorn, seconded by Edwards; passed unanimously by voice vote. CONSENT AGENDA Receive and order filed from the Treasurer regarding financial summary of operating results (unaudited) through January 31, 2022, including General Fund information. Trebelhorn asked for the minutes to reflect some corrections to the minutes before approval; Julie sent corrections on Monday, February 7 at 7:06 pm. Minutes were corrected for the Mayor’s signature. Consent agenda items were approved from a motion from Trebelhorn, seconded by Schmidt; passed unanimously by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS a. Approval of a Contract for Residential Solid Waste Collection Gaylord Sanitation (A): The contract was drawn up for one (1) additional year between Gaylord Sanitation and the City of Winthrop. After discussion, it was determined that city council will enter an additional three (3) year agreement with Gaylord Sanitation for solid waste collection. Motion by Edwards, Machaiek second: passed unanimously by voice vote. b. Police Chief Selection: (A) Edwards: Police committee met and interviewed 4 candidates, selected 2 candidates that got a second interview. The final two were given 20 minutes to answer a series of questions before the entire council. Trebelhorn: all four candidates were very qualified; all the interviews were great, and the deliberations were very difficult and ultimately, we wanted to have the best for Winthrop. Schmidt: Felt that Anderson will bring back community policing and connect with the community more. She felt like both candidates were well qualified. Motion by Trebelhorn to extend a job offer to candidate Logan Anderson, Schmidt second: passed by unanimously by voice vote. c. Approval of a new computer system for the Police Department: Aron Hacker explained the current system and the new needs of the department. The new system would bring the department up to compliance with state standards. Looft explained the accounts that are being used for the purchase of the equipment. This was an upgrade to help with state compliance checks. Motion to approve up to $18,500 by Edwards, second by Trebelhorn. Passed Voice Vote. d. Personnel Policy Update: Hiring Changes Edwards motioned that the hiring policy language policy should change to reflect the process in which department heads are hired. The process should read as follows and be updated in the city’s Personnel Policy: Update Section 4 – Employee Recruitment & Selection, subsection 4.6 – Selection Process: The selection process will be a cooperative effort between the City Administrator and Hiring Committee. The hiring committee will be determined by City Council. Generally, the hiring committee will be a current standing committee that has an interesting in hiring the position. However, if Council finds it necessary, they may appoint a special hiring committee. The City Administrator in cooperative effort with the selected Hiring Committee will be responsible for (a) candidate selection, (b) candidate interviews, (c) job offers and bargaining. Department heads will be hired after a second interview with the City Council. City Council will vote on the City Administrator and Hiring Committee will then proceed with the job offer and bargaining. The process for hiring seasonal and temporary employees may be delegated to the appropriate department head with each hire subject to final City Council approval. Except where prohibited by law, seasonal and temporary employees will be terminated by the department head at the time, subject to City Council approval. Motion by Edwards to accept the changes to the personnel policy, seconded by Schmidt. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. e. Work Sessions: Upcoming Work Sessions (I): The following work sessions have been requested by City Council. Work sessions are additional informational only sessions where council cannot act on motions or information. Work sessions will take place at 7pm on the following days: Work Session: Feb 28: Capital Improvement Session Work Session: March 7: City Vision & Direction Work Session: March 21: Employee Benefits f. Revision of Employee Benefits Packages: Michael Looft: 100% full employee, 75% for dependents. There was confusion about the package he was hired with and presented to Michael. Council wanted to include the same benefit package to their city administrator and the rest of the employees. Motion by Schmidt, Machaiek seconded. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Old Business a. Approval of new City Library Board Bylaws Trebelhorn gave a brief overview of the new Library Board bylaws. The board would support the library system. Motion by Trebelhorn, Second by Edwards. Passed unanimously voice vote. b. Recommendation to the City Charter Commission to change city council meetings to the 4th Monday of the month at 7pm. Order to receive that the City Council recommends to the City Charter Commission to change the City Council meeting date to the 4th Monday of each month at 7pm. c. Second reading to reinstate City Code 701.07: Winter Parking Regulations Motion by Edwards, seconded by Machaiek. Passed unanimously voice vote. REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES City Administrator/EDA Director Report – Looft Michael gave an update on personnel policy updates, evaluations, possible sale of lots to a housing developer. Continue to work with MN DEED on attracting new industry to the area. Worked with the parks committee to further the development plans of the city parks. Electric Department Report – Machaiek Construction will continue to drive down prices. Our rates are almost $10 cheaper from Xcel Energy bullk rates. MMPA is looking for new plants and energy alternatives. MMPA is doing their annual meeting this summer, council will be invited. The conference will be in Anoka. RS Fiber Report—Councilor Trebelhorn Met January 17. The RS Fiber Chair, reported that subscribers have gone up. The projections for repayment are still in the 7-9 years, as originally intended. They are looking to work with townships to help pay for more air technology in rural areas. Park Committee- Trebelhorn & Schmidt Met with ISG as a committee and looked at the possibilities of the park. ISG was happy with the survey results, 166 reported survey responses. They wanted feedback of the pavilion location and areas of the park that we don’t want moved or changed. ISG will continue to make progress and have reports back to us in two weeks. ISG was informed that this is a long-term goal, directed them to make this as on ongoing plan. Low maintenance, continuous improvement plan. ADJOURNMENT Council adjourned at 7:55. Motion by Trebelhorn, seconded by Schmidt. Passed unanimously voice vote. Michael Looft, Administrator

 

Independent School District GFW Public Schools February 22, 2022 Summary of regular school board meetings. Full text is available for public inspection at 323 East 11th Street, Gibbon, MN 55335. CALL TO ORDER The regular board meeting of the GFW Public School Board was held on February 22, 2022 at the Elementary School Gibbon, MN. Board Chair Kuehn called the meeting to order at 6:33pm. ALSO present: Superintendent Horton, Lee, Haas, Kuehn, Schmidt, Merkel, Prochniak, Tech Werner, Press Hanson, Press Fritz, Lisa Gregoire and Erin Jacobson from SWWC via Zoom, Sue Peterson from ISG, Inc., Mike Hoheisel from Baird, Michael Hart and Steve Pumper from PMA, Gary Benson from Kraus-Anderson all via Zoom. Absent: None APPROVE AGENDA Haas moved with support from Prochniak to approve the agenda. Motion Carried CONSENT AGENDA Prochniak moved with support from Lee to approve the following consent agenda. Motion Carried APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS AND ACTION ITEMS Free Athletics and Activities for Students During 2022-23 Academic School Year Schmidt moved with support from Prochniak to approve no fees for Athletics and Activities for Students During 2022-23 Academic School Year. Motion Carried 2022-23 School Calendar Kuehn moved with support from Haas to approve the 2022-2023 School Calendar. 4/2 vote Motion Carried Master Agreement Between ISD #2365 and Local 284 Merkel moved with support from Schmidt to approve the 2021-2023 Master Agreement between ISD #2365 and Local 284 . Motion Carried Resolution: Termination of Continuing Contract Teacher Kuehn moved with support from Haas to approve the Termination of Teacher A. Yes – Prochniak, Merkel, Kuehn, Schmidt, Haas No – Lee Motion Carried Resolution: Donations Kuehn moved with support from Schmidt to approve a $120.00 donation from Blackbaud/Ecolab Giving Fund anonymous employee donation Yes – Lee, Haas, Schmidt, Kuehn, Merkel, Prochniak No – None Motion Carried ADJOURNMENT Schmidt moved with support from Prochniak to adjourn at 8:42pm. Motion Carried Marisa Lee, Clerk 25c